A GREEN energy company, which wants to build a solar farm in Overton, has been criticised by the parish council for not allowing enough time for councillors to comment on the proposals.
Luminous Energy, based in Salisbury, submitted an application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to request a screening opinion to “determine the requirement for an environmental impact assessment” to be carried out at the proposed site, on land adjoining Lordsfield Plantation, in The Lynch.
The company wants to install ground-mounted solar panels over seven hectares.
The application was registered on October 21 and the deadline for people to respond was November 7 – six days before Overton Parish Council’s meeting at which they could discuss the plans.
Councillor Tony Leach said: “We might as well toss it in the bin.” He added: “It’s utterly ridiculous.”
Cllr Peter Baker pointed out that the parish council’s meeting on November 13 was the first available opportunity councillors had to discuss the plans.
Cllr Lucy Sloane Williams added: “It’s totally unacceptable. It’s important we make it clear how we feel.”
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